Any lone parents home educating?

[CharlotteCollins]

I'm thinking of HE again. I did a very relaxed version for 3 months with one of my DCs a few years ago now, but she went back into school and I decided to give schooling a real try.

Now I'm feeling increasingly dissatisfied with the pressure from teachers and from the curriculum changes. I feel they are wasting most of their day, although school trips are often excellent and the after-school activities are usually good.

If I were to do it, it would not be for a year, because I have a job for this school year, so this is just initial musing over whether it's workable.

I'm currently getting divorced, but my STBXH is active in the DC's lives. We are not very amicable co-parents - he tries to take advantage of me and thinks he knows better than me, much as he did when we were married. I think he would object to HE on principle.

Do I stand a chance HEing? And if I do, am I likely to be able to afford it?

Hello OP

I am only able to answer one of your questions I'm afraid but hope some more knowledgeable people can help you.
In terms of affording it, I don't see why not, if you can manage the drop in your wage or could afford the childcare whilst you worked and H.ed after work etc. Or, if you could manage without work there are lots of very cheap or free resources about. You van spend a fortune if you want to but it isn't necessary.
I'm not sure what you can do if your x doesn't agree to you H.edding but if you deregistered would he actually be bothered to re register?
Sorry, to not be much help and wish you the best of luck.

Hi Charlotte,

You might like to join the single parents HE email list too: groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/eo-singleparent/info I don't think you have to be a member of Education Otherwise in order to join this Yahoo list. There are bound to be other people there in similar situations to yours.

Hope you are able to figure out a good way forward!

I am and I do and its brilliant.

wish Id done it years ago and saved a lot of stress from DC and schools.

perfectly do- able and the results are brilliant.

go for it!

Thank you all for the encouragement! It is just an embryonic idea at this stage, but I know at least one maybe two of my DCs has asked me earlier this year if I would HE. I just brushed the idea away, because of the job I've already got lined up, but looking back now I feel bad that I didn't really listen.

I'd not even thought of using childcare while I work - I thought I'd have to give up work to do it, which tbh is one of my worries. I enjoy my work, but I want to put the DC's needs first. If I could work part-time, though, even better...

I will lurk here and on the group you mentioned, Saracen, and keep thinking it through.

Yes, me :) childcare two days a week while I work. Its fab!

It's a very interesting idea. I have a great childminder, who is really imaginative and has a brilliant understanding of play-based learning. I'd be much happier with the DCs with her than at school - and if I was HEing as well, they'd be learning heaps and enjoying themselves too!

I'm not sure what she (school governor as well as childminder) and the other school mums would think of me, though...

Depending on your income, you may qualify for the childcare element of Tax Credits. That would reduce the cost of childcare, perhaps considerably.

I've heard that some childminders are a bit worried at the prospect of taking on HE children because they think they will be held responsible for the children's education, or they may even fear that it is illegal for them to look after HE kids in the daytime as they are not qualified primary teachers. The simplest reassurance would be to tell her that you ONLY need her to provide childcare, not education, and that you will educate the children yourself during the hours when you aren't working: after all, there is no requirement for you to stick to school hours. Of course, you and I (and maybe the CM) do know that actually they will learn loads when they're with her. She'll be providing an important part of their education by doing fun stuff and taking them places and letting them play and talking to them. But she might feel more relaxed about the proposed arrangement if you downplay her educational role.

I'm a lone parent (DC have no contact with their other parent) who works part-time and I HE my 2 DC. I'm fortunate enough to have a job where my DC can come with me (childcare sector), that compliments their learning with me outside of work and it also ticks all the 'socialisation' boxes.